(From company literature) Lowepro Nova 3 AW. For those who like a more compact system, Nova 3 AW has a sleek look, hi-tech materials and an All Weather Cover™. Movable dividers adjust the interior for your equipment. Film and accessories go in the inner and outer mesh pockets, security pocket and front NoDrop Pocket™. Includes an OverLap Zipper; rugged metal hardware; a curved, pressed-foam shoulder strap; and padded handle.

I purchased this as a "light" bag when I don't want to carry all my equipment. I think it's a good enough size to carry the essentials without having to bring everything in your arsenal. It has a nice strong, padded strap as well as HEAVY quality zippers which are nice compared to smaller zippers. It gives it a feeling of quality and that all weather cover is GREAT.

Fiver

Registered: January 2007Posts: 2

Lowepro Nova 3 AW review by Fiver

Review Date: 1/13/2007

Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $45.00| Rating: 8

Pros:

Good size for a daytrip

Cons:

None

This is a good size bag for when you aren't going to carry too much material. My bag carried my Nikon F60, together with a telezoom, flash, spare batteries for the flash, a few filters, a Lenspen, and spare rolls of film.

The zippered front pocket can carry additional equipment such a mobile phone or a pocket knife. Additional space is available in the mesh side pockets.

The top compartment has to be closed with a zipper and a quick release buckle. One has to be careful when closing the top compartment only with the buckle : upon reopening the bag may top over thereby dropping your equipment on the ground !

The removable, velcro lined compartment dividers allow you to configure the bag to nicely fit your equipment but are a bit difficult to configure.

You can carry this bag all day without hurting your shoulder thanks to the padded shoulder strap. The size of the bag is large enough to take enough equipment without being a nuisance when walking through crowds.

I'd recommend this bag for the casual or enthusiast photographer.

crmorse

Registered: January 2007Posts: 11

Lowepro Nova 3 AW review by crmorse

Review Date: 1/4/2007

Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $40.00| Rating: 10

Pros:

Easy to use, good sholder strap, good size

Cons:

Must zip top compartment to safely carry when full

Overall a very good and flexible bag. I use this as my walkaround bag for short trips and normal day-to-day use.

Holds a Digital SLR with lens attached (up to about 150mm) plus 1-2 other lenses (depending on size). For example, I carry Canon Digital Rebel 300D, EFs 18-55mm f/3.5, EF 50mm f/1.8, and EF 28-135 f/3.5 IS all in the main compartment. However, with the 28-135 IS mounted on the camera it makes it a tight fit to get the other lenses on either side.

At the same time I can fit 2 polarizers, 3 CF cards, 2 batteries, and a few other bits.

Pluses:
* All Weather system is easy, convenient, and reliable. Much better than using a bag.

* Good strong comfortable strap. I got this bag after the sholder strap broke on 2 different knock-off brand bags.

* Front pocket can hold a surprising amount of stuff.

* Side pockets are very good for quick reach items like batteries.

Minuses:
* If you have a lot of gear inside you must zip the top compartment to safely use the top carry handle. The front clip has never come loose on me but looking at the bag fully loaded I'm not comfortable carrying it unless it's zipped because it flexes alot. This wouldn't be a big issue but zipping and unzipping the top compartment is annoying because you have to open the front clip first. --Two operations to get the results of one. It's minor but annoying.

* The back compartment is nearly useless. Only a small instruction manual will fit and if used expect the page corners to get pretty bent up; even if you are the careful type.

Overall, this is a great bag and one I've had for a couple of years. I find it the perfect size for walkaround and short trips because I can fit all the essentials.